Smash AMF (OG) Pre-Workout Review

This Hulk look-alike looks lean and mean, with this being the original batch it does smash you hard! KJ Labs is made in Allen Texas, and not New Jersey surprisingly.

Everything you hear about this product is true, and you should get it while you can if you want a zoned-out euphoric experience. 

This product is suspected to contain kratom, as well as many different stimulants that can help you push through your workout with no regard to taking it easy.

Thank you, Jake with Nutricartel, for sending this full product for review! 

Where to Buy Smash AMF

You can buy Smash AMF from the following retailers:

• Nutri Cartel
  • LIFTVAULT = 15% off
• Supps Central
  • LIFTVAULT15 = 15% off
• Muscle Factory SC
  • LV15 = 15% off

Experience

This was a slow rise and climb, with only a slight rise in energy in the first 40 minutes. Eventually, I started to get a nice energy boost that felt similar to alpha yo. A slight focus built slowly, making a zoned-in tail light focus. Warm-up exercises elicited a 10-15 BPM heart rate elevation and a thermogenic effect. 

As the focus drifted in like clouds parting, I pushed steadily through each set and rep. I had a solid mind-to-muscle connection that was less stimulatory, smooth and almost relaxing. I could describe this as a flow state, where I was aggressive with the right influence of music.

Muscular contraction also improved, showing up as a solid 6.5/10. Vascularity was absent for me, but the muscle fullness was there 10/10 each time. I’m unsure if the intensity or aggression contributed to this, but it was solid. Finishing every workout, I felt a steady energy, muscle fullness, and a sweaty hulk version of myself.  DOMS, pushing through fatigue, so clear focus. I found the ¾ scoop result as the best, as a full scoop was too much. Appetite suppression is real, leading me to have great fasting results that carried over into my feeding window. More vascularity on a higher serving amount could result in greater vascular constriction, causing great retention. 

Side Effects:

I didn’t experience any negative effects while using this product.

Flavor

“Citrus Punch” was the flavor I was sent for review. The flavor was not bad, but it had a vitamin aftertaste. I felt I could taste a grapefruit overtone more than anything else. Flavor ratings are subjective and don’t impact the product’s rating, but I hope to help gauge how good or bad a flavor might be. The flavor desirability was about 5.5/10. The suggested amount of water was 8-12 ounces, but less was more for me. I enjoyed around eight ounces of water; the flavor was better at this ratio. 

Dose/Scoop Size

The serving size is 10 grams for each serving/scoop, mine was a very rounded scoop for the full serving. I shake my supplements before using them, especially the first time. This can cause aeration, making the powder fluff and causing scoops to measure slightly differently. 

Since this is a high-stimulant-based product, you should be weighing them out until you assess your tolerance. I used this product at ½, ¾, and at a full scoop, which hit precisely how I needed it and adequately for this product review. We have 30 servings at max dosage, the current market standard. 

Ingredients

Being the original batch, there was a lot of initial buzz that it contained some off-label ingredients such as kratom. There are several strains of this herb, with each known for different effects, and then there are blends. I experienced using kratom in the past due to an injury since it can provide a slight sedative and pain management effect. It is a tolerance-building herb and not something to play around with for a long time since it causes dependency. For more information about kratom, check here for clinical findings. Otherwise, this link was helpful, although each website typically is trying to sell it to you.

The formulation, if correct per the label, has many great stimulants but other ingredients seemed mostly underdosed, yet I can’t comment on what is actually in the product. The chances of some products to include illicit ingredients are high, so you can’t ever trust a label completely. That is where reviewers likemyself are called to provide consistent and thorough feedback. 

Vitamin C – 350 mg

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin crucial in various bodily functions. Here are some additional uses for vitamin C: antioxidant support, immune system boosting, collagen formation, wound healing, iron absorption, eye health, and antioxidant regeneration. 

The recommended daily vitamin C varies by age and gender but is generally around 75-90 milligrams for adults. However, individuals with specific health conditions or who smoke may require higher amounts.

Good dietary sources include citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits), strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, and tomatoes.

Vitamin D3 – 10 mg

Vitamin D3 has been shown to create small but statistically significant increases in testosterone among men who are Vitamin D deficient (source). It is worth noting that daily intake is needed for these effects. Dosages can vary, and you shouldn’t rely on this product as your only source if supplementation is needed.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – 50 mg

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, has a wide array of benefits, ranging from increasing HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) concentrations, reducing LDL cholesterol concentrations, and reducing the concentration of triglycerides.

Some research shows niacin can increase blood flow through various mechanisms. The study is limited and conflicted, so niacin is rarely included in pre-workouts.

Niacin also helps your body produce optimal amounts of ATP, the energy source for muscle contraction. Thus, ensuring you have enough Niacin is a worthwhile endeavor for a pre-workout supplement.

50 mg of niacin is a higher dose. It is more than the recommended daily dosage for men (16 mg per day) and women (14 mg per day), but you should also be able to get this from a healthy diet. Good sources of niacin include fish, beef, chicken, turkey, mushrooms, and brown rice.

Vitamin B6 – 5 mg

Vitamin B6 can help improve mood and reduce feelings of depression.

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is one of the eight B vitamins essential for various bodily functions. It plays a crucial role in several metabolic processes, including amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter production, hemoglobin formation, immune function, glycogen breakdown, and hormonal regulation.

Sources of Vitamin B6 include a variety of foods such as poultry, fish, potatoes, bananas, and fortified cereals.

Magnesium Carbonate – 50 mg

Magnesium carbonate is a white solid occurring naturally as a mineral. It is a magnesium and carbonic acid salt with the chemical formula MgCO3. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is crucial in numerous physiological functions within the human body. Here are some key aspects of magnesium: nutrients and electrolytes, energy production, muscle function, bone health, nervous system function, blood pressure regulation, DNA and RNA synthesis, and immune system support. 

It’s important to note that excessive magnesium intake, whether through supplements or certain antacids, can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.

L-Citrulline – 4 g

L-citrulline is one of the most common pre-workout ingredients. Extensive evidence supports its ability to increase nitric oxide production, power output, pumps, blood flow, and endurance. It is typical for this ingredient to contain malic acid mixed in a 2:1 ratio per the clinical studies if disclosed. Malic acid has some benefits similar to beta-alanine, and these ingredients aren’t in a chemical bond. Some products may list malic acid as a separate ingredient. 

You want four to six grams of pure l-citrulline for proper clinical dosage. If the ratio on the label is 2:1, a 6-gram dose would contain close to 3.96 grams. Per the clinical trials, daily supplementation is required to obtain the full benefits.

Some critical points are amino acid precursors, enhanced nitric oxide production, improved endurance, reduced muscle fatigue, cardiovascular health, and erectile dysfunction.

Beta-Alanine – 1.5 g

Beta-alanine has been shown to support muscular endurance and act as a lactic acid buffer. Depending on the source of this ingredient, you may feel the paresthesias tingling effect. This feeling is often desirable in the sports community, as it makes you feel the intensity after ingestion. This may be negated by diet and intake of beta-alanine. 

Beta-alanine requires regular intake to be effective, akin to creatine. Daily beta-alanine supplementation of three to four grams is recommended to become effective, with a three to five-week loading period. This is in the standard clinical dose range, although a bit higher. When you consume beta-alanine, it combines with another amino acid called histidine to form carnosine. 

Carnosine is found in high muscle concentrations and is a buffer against lactic acid buildup during intense exercise. This buffering effect can delay the onset of muscle fatigue and improve exercise capacity. By increasing carnosine levels in muscles, beta-alanine helps reduce the accumulation of hydrogen ions, contributing to muscle acidity and fatigue. This allows athletes to perform at a high intensity slightly longer before experiencing fatigue.

Typical dietary sources do not abundantly contain it, so it’s challenging to obtain the required amounts solely through diet. However, it is naturally present in small quantities of animal products like meat and fish. 

Creatine HCl – 1 g

Creatine HCL has higher bioavailability than creatine monohydrate (i.e., it gets absorbed more easily by the body), so you must ingest less to achieve similar effects. Like creatine monohydrate, creatine hcl helps the body create more ATP, allowing the muscles more power output. 1.5 grams is the clinical dosage of creatine HCL. It should be taken daily to be effective, so I typically don’t look for creatine in my pre-workouts as I take it separately, usually mixed in with a protein shake. Jacked could be a good choice if you like creatine in your pre-workout.

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) – 500 mg

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is a form of the amino acid L-Tyrosine that has been acetylated for increased solubility and absorption. L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce it from other amino acids. However, under certain conditions, such as stress or intense physical activity, the body may not produce enough L-Tyrosine, making it conditionally essential.

Tyrosine is a precursor to important neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters are crucial in mood regulation, stress response, and cognitive function. By supplementing with N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, individuals aim to support the production of these neurotransmitters, potentially enhancing mental performance, focus, and stress resilience.

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is often included in dietary supplements, particularly those designed for cognitive enhancement, stress reduction, or pre-workout formulas.

L-tyrosine boosts cognitive performance in stressful environments. Pre-workouts include it as a focus ingredient and help to achieve anti-stress effects. The typical dosage range is 500 mg to 2,000 mg for exercise. 

L-tyrosine is a naturally occurring amino acid and a precursor to several important neurotransmitters and hormones in the body. It plays a significant role in producing dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which regulate mood, stress response, physical performance, and cognitive function.

Taurine – 500 mg

Taurine is a common ingredient with many positive effects, such as enhanced physical performance, improved DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), improved blood pressure via higher cardiac output, possible reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels, increased uptake of glycogen to mitochondria for energy utilization (Examine). 

Taurine supplementation might block beta-alanine uptake as they are antagonistic, which wouldn’t be an issue if used aside from pre-workout. It is not commonly known that beta-alanine/carnosine is a taurine-depleting antagonist (Examine). A three-gram taurine dose is excellent and above the standard dosing (one to six grams daily in studies). 

Acetyl L-Carnitine – 500 mg

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a form of the amino acid L-carnitine, naturally produced in the body and found in certain foods. Acetyl l-carnitine is created by attaching an acetyl group to l-carnitine, which enhances its bioavailability and allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier more easily. Here are some key aspects of acetyl-l-carnitine: energy production, brain function, antioxidant properties, nervous system support, aging, and cognitive decline.

Caffeine Anhydrous – 350 mg

Caffeine Anhydrous is the standard form of caffeine, known for increasing energy, alertness, and motivation, reducing the perception of fatigue, and improving concentration and mood. It is a powdered form of caffeine commonly used as a supplement and in various products, including energy drinks, pre-workout supplements, and over-the-counter medications. “Anhydrous” means without water, so caffeine anhydrous is essentially dehydrated caffeine, typically a white, odorless, and bitter-tasting powder. 

The caffeine content varies for each product. 350-450 is the typical dosage for sports supplements, 200-300 is the range for fat burners, and some products may contain other forms or stimulants. Caffeine works by blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleepiness. This increases the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which contribute to heightened alertness. 

Less is more, as your dependency will lead to diminishing returns as you increase your intake. The overall combination of many factors, such as sleep, when you take caffeine, diet, and nutrition, affect how much you will need. Recent attention on caffeine consumption within 90 minutes of waking has been given by Dr. Andrew Hubberman, who said it causes the delay of clearing of adenosine. Ingestion of caffeine upon waking will likely produce a mid-day crash, according to his research, so plan your consumption accordingly.

Green Tea 98% – 50 mg

GCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is a plant-based compound called catechin. Catechins are natural phenols and antioxidants with a wide array of effects. Familiar sources include white tea extract and green tea extract. It’s often simply referred to as green tea extract.

EGCG acts as a fat burner by inhibiting catechol-0-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that degrades catecholamines. By inhibiting COMT, catecholamine levels elevate. Catecholamines help break down fat stores. By inhibiting COMT, EGCG allows catecholamines to do their thing for extended periods, leading to increased levels of fat removal.

In terms of dosage, most people should aim for 400 to 500 mg of green tea extract per day.

Synephrine HCL – 80 mg

Synephrine, or isopropylnorsynephrine, is a well-researched ingredient for weight loss. It is a common ingredient in many reputable weight loss supplements. It may also appear on ingredient labels as bitter orange extract. You may also see iso-norsynephrine, which is also a lipolytic agent and is generally considered to be a more robust version of synephrine.

“In general, bitter orange extract alone (p-synephrine) or in combination with other herbal ingredients did not produce significant adverse events as an increase in heart rate or blood pressure or alter electrocardiographic data, serum chemistry, blood cell counts or urinalysis. p-Synephrine alone and in combination products were shown to increase resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure, and modest increases in weight loss were observed with bitter orange extract/p-synephrine-containing products when given for six to 12 weeks.” Synephrine Meta-Analysis

Synephrine also increases energy and controls appetite. A standard dosage for this ingredient would be around 50mg, but we have a highly effective dosage that I haven’t seen in a product before.

Hordenine HCl – 50 mg

Hordenine (N, N-dimethyltyramine) is a stimulant often included in recent “nootropic” products. It is not widely researched, so much of the information comes from anecdotal accounts. Typically dosed between 10 and 50 mg, 40 mg is well within usual standards. One study shows that hordenine is an MAO (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) that lengthens the feeling of energy and mood elevation.

Grape Seed Extract – 20 mg

Grape seed extract is an antioxidant and can help improve blood flow, which is often added to pump products. Dosages for grape seed extract are 150-300 mg, making this product a low dose. Many other products that include this ingredient are similarly dosed at 25 mg, so the effect might be appropriate from a pump aspect. Read more about the many benefits associated with grape seed extract on Examine.

L-Theanine – 20 mg

Taken from Healthline, in a review of five randomized controlled trials that included 104 participants, four trials linked L-Theanine with reduced stress and anxiety in people experiencing stressful situations (ScienceDirect). This is dosed on the low end of the recommended 300-500 mg range for relaxation, which is great to have in a sleep aid and is often included in high stimulant pre-workouts to nullify the side effects. 

Typically, it isn’t needed in regular caffeine-based pre-workouts, and fortunately, we are given 150 mg here, which is more than some sleep aid supplements. It is possible that it was included to help increase neurotransmission in the brain, but for some people, it might make them too relaxed. 

Methyl Synephrine HCl – 10 mg

This is a stimulant chemically related to synephrine, which is a well-researched ingredient that has been shown to aid in weight loss.

MethylSynephrine is currently a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited substance when used in competition, as five different athletes in five different sports have tested positive. Including Vietnamese weightlifter Hoàng Anh Tuấn, a silver medalist in the 2008 Summer Olympics who was given a 4-year ban.

Black Pepper Extract – 10 mg

Black pepper extract, or bioperine, is a patented ingredient that increases the bioavailability of nutritional supplements. In other words, it helps your body absorb more of the ingredients in the product, which allows the effectiveness of the ingredients. As the serving size increases, so does the need for a digestion aid. Typically, you only find it dosed at 5 mg, but we are oddly given double the dosage, which can only be good.

Bioperine is a trademarked name for a patented extract of black pepper (Piper nigrum) standardized to contain a high concentration of piperine. Piperine is the active component responsible for black pepper’s intense and spicy flavor. It primarily enhances the body’s bioavailability of various nutrients and substances. It achieves this by inhibiting certain digestive and liver enzymes that break down these compounds, allowing them to remain in the bloodstream for extended periods and be more effectively absorbed.

N-Methyltyramine HCl – 5 mg

N-methyltyramine HCl, often called NMT HCl, is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of alkaloids and isn’t one I typically see in the market. It is a derivative of tyramine, a naturally occurring trace amine found in various plants and animals, including humans. It is chemically related to other compounds like tyramine, synephrine, hordenine, and octopamine, which the second and third are more common. It is important to note that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned it. NMT is also used for weight loss. 

It is sometimes used in dietary supplements and sports nutrition products, particularly those marketed for weight loss, energy enhancement, and athletic performance. NMT has effects similar to other stimulants, such as increased heart rate, metabolism, and energy levels.

However, it’s important to note that the scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of NMT for these purposes is limited. Typically included at a dosage of around 200 mg in supplements, the included 100 mg is less than the typical dosage, but you won’t notice due to the other high stimulants.

Naringenin – 5 mg

Naringenin is a flavonoid found in grapefruit. It may help regulate glucose, which may help lower glucose levels over time. This could satisfy control cravings for carbs and aid users in controlling their weight. 

According to NIH, “naringin and its aglycone naringenin belonged to this series of flavonoids and displayed potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Several lines of investigation suggest that naringin supplementation is beneficial for treating obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.”

Yohimbine HCl (98%) – 2.5 mg

This is a popular ingredient in many supplements. It has a variety of uses and can serve as an appetite suppressant, fat burner, aphrodisiac, mood elevator, and performance and focus ingredient. Yohimbe is a tree native to central and western Africa, and the bark of the tree produces an alkaloid called yohimbine. Depending on the quality of the extract, it can be very potent, so dosing varies with different products or brands. 

This isn’t to be confused with alpha yo (rauwolfia vomitoria extract). Some individuals are more susceptible to alpha yohimbine and avoid any pre-workout with it outright. Common adverse side effects include anxiety, headaches, sweating, frequent urination, and increased blood pressure.